Peggy’s Story – Cipro Poisoning and Recovery

*The following is an individual’s story of surviving fluoroquinolone toxicity. It is not medical advice. Please see the disclaimer at the bottom of the story. Thank you, and please be cautious with all treatments.

My name is Peggy. A few years ago I was given Cipro for a sinus infection. I had had Cipro on two previous occasions for the same diagnosis. I thought Cipro was the “greatest” medicine as it was once a day and only 5 days treatment. I healed faster, and that’s all I cared about….. until I realized it had been poisoning me.

The first time I was given Cipro my hands and feet ached, and my muscles felt like I’d been beat up. I figured since I was 10 pounds overweight — this must be the reason I was hurting. I went back to the gym, lost 10 pounds and felt amazing. The second time I was given Cipro the exact same thing happened. Again… back to the gym to drop those 10 pounds I’d put back on. The third time I took Cipro the pain was much more significant and intense, and I couldn’t move my feet or hands when I needed to get out of bed in the morning — AND I was already at my target weight. I could no longer blame my weight. Something was seriously wrong.

By the time I realized I had a serious problem I had already ruled out MS and every other muscle disease I could think of. I had taken up a ritual of stretching in bed before putting my feet on the floor. If I didn’t stretch before getting out of bed, I would drop to the floor because my feet hurt so much, and the pain would radiate throughout my body. I started wearing “Croc’s,” and had a pair in every room in my house. I was unable to be barefoot any time I was walking. Finally I decided to meditate (which I’d never done before); because, I’d heard we can find the answers we need to help ourselves if we turn and look within. After meditating, and looking inward and evaluating my issues, I realized each time I had pain it was directly after having taken Cipro. I knew I had found my culprit. Now, how do I fix the damage?

I went to my doctor to tell him what I thought, and he completely blew me off. I told my sister who is a Nurse Practitioner and her reply was, “So…. You think Cipro has caused you this pain?” She then proceeded to tell me how this wasn’t possible. I was stunned. For the next 2 ½ years I suffered terribly. I tried reflexology, massage therapy, stretching, elliptical training. Hot & cold therapy. Swimming. Physical therapy. Nothing worked. I searched the internet like a mad-dog for those 2 ½ years. I knew I wasn’t the only one suffering from this. I found a bazillion complaints from people who were suffering like I had been. Some people were far worse off than I was. I kept looking. SOMEONE had to have found a remedy.

I found MANY remedies, but none of them sounded legitimate, and some were just plain ridiculous. I kept reading and hunting for the right answer. Then, finally one day …. I found something. I had googled “Cipro recovery ,” and came across a new website I’d never seen before. It was [askapatient.com]. I read for DAYS analyzing what people had to say. For whatever reason I couldn’t stop looking at this site. Then….. BAM! After a couple of weeks — There is was! Common sense at its best!

I remember thinking to myself “THIS MAKES SO MUCH SENSE! WHY DIDN’T I THINK OF THIS!” Working in the medical field I couldn’t believe it wasn’t me who didn’t put two and two together! I must have stared at that particular comment for an hour! I couldn’t believe my good fortune!

The comment was dated 11/29/2010 and the initials of the author were “Em.” Now, I don’t know who this person is, but I pray God blesses them for their keen insight! This is what “Em” said.

I have osteopenia & while treated with cipro, had to give up calcium supplements/ dairy prod. or anything fortified with calcium because CALCIUM COUNTERACTS THE EFFECTIVENESS of Cipro, so, I self prescribed: 650mg of calcium, 2000 I.U. of D3 (cholecalciferol) needed for calcium absorption & 200mg of magnesium with breakfast-200mg of magnesium with Lunch- 650mg of calcium, 2000 I.U of D3, & 200mg of magnesium with dinner. Each Day the pain receded by 2 or 3 hours; by the fifth day, as unbelievable as it is, I was free of pain! If you try it, reduce the magnesium as soon as you feel better as it is not recommended to take over 200/300mg per day. I am back on my usual intake: 650mg of calcium a day, 2000 I.U. of D3 & 200mg of magnesium at dinner time, it relaxes my muscles & may be tendons & helps me sleep. Calcium helps in neutralizing Cipro’s action & magnesium relaxes muscles. Do check with your pharmacist to make sure that it is OK for you.

So!, I began researching what “Em” said.

Em was absolutely correct about the insert stating to refrain from taking Calcium supplements or eating dairy products while taking Cipro as it indeed counteracts the desired effects. Calcium BINDS Cipro preventing it from working at 100% capacity. SO!, Em said, if you take Calcium – it should bind the Cipro. But Calcium alone won’t get the job done. I then looked up why we needed D3 and Magnesium along with the Calcium.

The Cipro toxin has attacked our cells. Obviously, as we are suffering. When Calcium is used to bind toxins it often has a difficult/hard time breaking back through the cell wall to get the toxins out and into the blood where it can be cleansed out. D3 helps to regulate Calcium and allows Calcium to absorb more efficiently (which we want!), and is VERY important. Magnesium is key to getting the toxins OUT! Magnesium helps muscle fibers contract. It helps in cell production, but most importantly it is the “transporter.” Magnesium transports substances across the cell barrior, which is where Cipro gets stuck.

This was how I understood what Em said, and this is how I took my vitamins:

With Breakfast: 650mg Calcium; 2000iu D3; 200mg Magnesium

With Lunch: 200mg Magnesium

With Dinner: 650mg Calcium: 2000iu D3: 200mg Magnesium

Like Em, as unbelieveable as it sounds, by day two I was pain free. It worked VERY fast for me. I backed off of the Magnesium, but my pain came back right away. I’d been suffering a very long time and supposed I could cure this quickly. Not so. I went back on my regimen for the rest of the week, and then stopped the “lunchtime Magnesium” first.

After week two, I also quit taking the morning Magnesium.

By week three I was taking 650mg Calcium and 1000iu of D3 with breakfast, and 650mg Calcium, 1000iu D3 & 200mg Magnesium before bed.

I continued my week three regimen for a little over a year. I found if I neglected to follow my week three regimen — my pain would come back. I learned REALLY fast never to forget my vitamins!

It has been a few years now, but I still follow my maintenance. I take, at bedtime, 1000mg Calcium, 250mg Magnesium, and 2000iu D3.

Ironically, my Nurse Practitioner sister, who had initially thought I was “nuts” when I told her I thought Cipro had attacked my muscles, AND she thought I was even crazier when I told her how I healed myself….. well, she had a bowel perforation last year. They gave her IV Cipro and sent her home with Cipro to take for one month.

She called me when she was finished with her prescription, and she said, “Peggy, do you remember when you told me a long time ago about how Cipro had attacked your body and how you helped your body recover (Of course I remember. It was a HORRIBLE experience!)? Can you please tell me how you did it? I think I am also experiencing the same thing. This pain is the WORST!”

I gave her my remedy, and she too, is now pain free.

It worked for me. It may not work for everyone, but if this helps another person; then my journey to hell and back will have been worth it!

** The story above is truthful, accurate and told to the best of the ability of the writer. It is not intended as medical advice. No person who submits his or her story, nor the people associated with Floxie Hope, diagnoses or treats any illness. The story above should not be substituted for professionally provided medical advice. Please consult your doctor before trying anything that has been mentioned in this story, or in any other story on this site. Please also note that people have varying responses to the treatments mentioned in each story. What helps one person may not help, and may even hurt, another person. It is important that you understand that supplements, IVs, essential oils, and all other treatments, effect people differently depending on the millions of variables that make each of us unique. Please use appropriate caution and prudence, and get professional medical advice.

Thank you for sharing. I have been floxed for 6 yrs now, mainly my tendons are the issue. Although I have been on Magnesium, I have not been consistent and have not taken Calcium and D3 consistently either. I will be giving this regiment a try.

Have you tried the magnesium without the calcium? Just curious. Many thing that cipro poisons because it depletes intracellular magnesium rapidly — which is really hard to ever rebuild, and which halts tons of enzymatic processes in the body. I had cipro poisoning in 09 and this past six months I’ve been supplementing with mag and my symptoms have decreased significantly as well. I do also eat a lot of yogurt so I naturally get enough calcium, but I had thought it was the magnesium that made the difference for me.

This story is wonderful and since I already take these supplements, will try this method of intake. I am at 9 weeks and while symptoms are not unbearable, they are annoying and frightening, I will probably try and stop reading for awhile to bring down the anxiety. I feel like a sick person with damaged DNA and that thought is so depressing to me.

Hi Tammy,it has been several years since the floxing nightmare. I feel pretty much back to normal. I haven’t been diagnosed with any new illnesses since that time. I do think I have a few residual issues such as occasional numbness and tingling in my hands and feet. I am extremely vigilant in avoiding this class of poisonous drugs and I try to spread the word to others when I can. It’s teuly amazing that given the even tougher warnings and additional scrutiny, doctors and patients still seem unaware. I now see a functional medicine doctor as my PCP AND I take many supplements daily. Hope this note finds you well

tammy gyarmathyDecember 27, 2018 at 8:28 am

What were your symptoms? How long did it take for you to heal?

Cindy Carr MeredithDecember 27, 2018 at 8:39 am

I had widespread burning and twitching muscles. I shivered all the time, almost like having the shakes. I had very bad insomnia as well. I was always in a fog and feeling detached from my surroundings. I was pretty much like that for 3-4 months. During that time I had twice weekly Accupuncture, counseling, went on a low dose antidepressant and tried some supplements. I just tried to take care of myself and pray it would subside. It was terrifying at first.

Interesting, because I have always read magnesium was the important one. In fact, I just finished Dr Jay Cohen’s last book ” How we can halt the Cipro and Levaquin catastrophe: the worst Medication Disaster in U.S. History,” and he mentions magnesium, vitamin E, zinc, NAC…don’t recall him mentioning calcium at all. Glad it helped you, but I am leery of adding in more calcium. I think maybe the prudent thing to do would be to get mineral testing.

Peggy, thanks for your story. Calcium has become problematic for women as they age, the FQ’s don’t make that situation any better. My wife has been successful with calcium supplements and they help her.
Given that all my GP’s were guilty of giving me Levaquin and Avelox, I decided to find a woman Doctor of Osteopathy (DO). I intentionally looked for a woman, because women are better listeners. And a DO becuase they will help you look at alternatives before drugs.
When I learned what was causing all the damage, I too started to look for a cure. Magnesium was one recommended and it seemed to help. However, when I talked with my DO, she said don’t do it. The reason she said this is that she’s seen patients damaged by overdosing on supplements. She also said the best way to repair the damage was through my diet. Our bodies are able to absorb the vitamins more readily from food than a supplement.
I do know of one person in the FQ community that overdid it on supplements and developed reactions to them as well. I have read many success stories where people have supplemented their diets. I asked myself, am I looking for a magic cure with more pills? The answer was yes (the “pill culture” is part of the problem when you look at the big picture). So I took my DO’s advice, changed to organic food, mostly plant based, and take a daily vitamin. I had to take iron before and after hip replacement, but other than that, I never took any other supplements.
Proceed with caution, we’re all different and our bodies may react differently. The FQ’s also affected my ability to tolerate many medications; I’ve seen more reactions after FQ’s than I did before. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. What works for one could damage another.
After years of struggle, I still have problems, mostly nerve pain, which I’m able to tolerate (the nerve pain may never go away), but it appears that eating a “clean” diet was a key element to healing. After 4 years eating organic, the colitis that was caused by the drugs is in remission. It could come back, but I no longer need the drug that could have led to kidney failure.
Find what works for you, but most of all, be patient. It takes time to heal. It took Peggy some time to heal as well. Switching to organics seemed to be the best option since they don’t have all those pesky chemicals found in the majority of foods these days.

We get severely depleted of magnesium from the FLQs. Mineral testing could always be done, but I would have to say that of ALL the treatments for FLQ toxicity I have read about, none seems to be more important than replacing the magnesium. In Dr. Jay Cohen’s last book, published shortly before his death, he talks about various treatments, and magnesium gets the lion’s share of discussion. (“How We Can Halt the Cipro and Levaquin Catastrophe: The Worst Medication Disaster in U.S. History.”)

I saw a woman dr who was just as dismissive as all the males. But I must say the ONLY one who would listen (although she too was not aware of the breadth of side effects) was a woman—and younger, and I think that makes a difference too. I was surprised by the “don’t take the magnesium, because it gets depleted for the FLQs. (In fact, in Dr Jay Cohen’s book he suggests that if you absolutely HAVE to take one (in my case that would be when hell froze over) to take mag four hours apart from it. Also, many natural doctors say that mag is MORE important than calcium in many ways for bone health, and the old 2:1 is wrong (cal/mag) and it should be 1:1 at most. Dr Cohen also lists magnesium in his book (How We Can Halt the Cipro and Levaquin Catastrophe: The Worst Medication Disaster in US History) he devotes an entire chapter to magnesium: “The Growing Evidence That Magnesium May Prevent and Possibly Treat FTS” He had studied the FLQ for decades. I trust his opinion.

It would be some much better if these people could post they types of vitamins/minerals they use it would be so much easier on all of us…Would also be nice if they would anser questions as well once in awhile…

Hey Aidan, sometimes people don’t respond because they don’t see the post. If you hit reply by a post, it will notify them IF they have checked off that they want to be notified. And even then, it seems to stop after a couple posts.

As for which vitamins/minerals, I know for myself, I have probably posted them dozens of times. You just get tired of posting the same info over and over and over again. if you scroll back through old posts you will find a lot of the information you are seeking. Also, what helps one doesn’t necessarily help another. Overall, I would say magnesium is most necessary.Then depending on the types of side effects you are having, b vitamins for nerve issues, supplements for mitochondrial toxicity may help with breathing and fatigue problems—those would be like coq10, Alpha Lipoic Acid, resveratrol, L-arginine, N acetyl choline. Pretty much everyone here has had their gut destroyed, and that kind tie into ALL of the side effects (and pretty much all illnesses) so you want to avoid gluten, gmos, soy, processed foods. Eat organic veg and fruit as much as possible (esp the dirty dozen which you can find online); organic meats to avoid more antibiotics, growth hormones and other chemical crap. Some may or may not need to avoid dairy, but if you do dairy, again organic. And goats milk kefir (start small!! a tablespoon) is amazing for gut issues.

Hey Peggy, that’s great. I would guess you weren’t floxed as badly as others. I had always taken calcium and D3 and added in a lot of mag, but I continued to spiral downward for a years or so. But as in my other post, Dr Jay Cohen is very pro-magnesium. Like calcium, the cipro (or flq) binds to the magnesium and it gets very depleted.

Just notice a new Linda came into the group, and this could get confusing, so I think I will switch to L.

I was just diagnosed with “the worst ear infection I’ve ever seen” by my Nurse Practitioner today. She prescribed 500 mg of Levofloxacin. She didn’t tell me of any side effects. When I got it there is a long list of side effects & I also looked it up on the internet & then this site. I am really scared to take it now. I took one pill today. It did make me feel kinda weird not exactly how yet.

I would URGE you to ask for something else. Apparently physicians have NOT gotten the latest warning from the FDA about NOT using the FLQ for UTIs, sinus infections (and one other) unless there is nothing else available. This stuff is poison. I would ask for something else and then show your doctor this: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm500143.htm

I am on Cipro for pseudomonas bacteria culture found in the nose and sinuses. I am on day 12 of 500mg twice a day of a 14 day prescription without any side effects so far. I found this site as I panicked when I took a 3rd dose a few hours after the days 2nd does by mistake. I didn’t want to overwhelm the body and trigger the side effects.

After reading the post I immediately took 750 mg of calcium and 250 mg of magnesium to absorb or neutralize the Cipro. That was last night and nothing negative occurred. I had read of the extreme side effects prior to starting the Cipro and talked to the nurse who gave the “it’s rare” response, so I decided to roll the dice and use it as I have not been able to eliminate 30 years of chronic congestion and was hoping the Cipro would help.

My online search gave the odds at 1 in 1000 for the extreme tendon and muscle issues and that increased to 1 in 500 for over age 60 with joint issues. I am in the later group. I suspect or maybe the FDA knows that females taking it for UTI are a higher percentage, but I don’t know.

My bottle came with the instructions taped on it to wait at least 2 hours after taking Cipro before taking any vitamin / mineral supplements, including iron, zinc, calcium and magnesium. Or to not take Cipro for at least 6 hours after take those supplements.

It didn’t say to not take the supplements or not take dairy, but obviously dairy has those minerals too. The point is, if someone is reading these comments and wondering if they should take Cipro, maybe and this is just my opinion, you should consider taking a good mineral supplement following the hours guidelines every day you take Cipro.

Also strongly encouraged by my doctor and nurse was taking a high quality probiotic, and I also added fermented foods everyday, you are on Cipro, and continue for a couple of weeks after finishing the antibiotic to rebuild and keep your gut flora strong to protect the gut lining and its functions. Yogurt alone may not be enough.

I don’t know if there is research that indicates that if you take the minerals and probiotics that you will be protected from the extreme adverse side effects, but it does seem like it might reduce the chance.

Not sure where you got the 1 in 1000 number. I think it’s higher. Good re probiotics. Also the calcium is not nearly as important as the magnesium. I would go up to 600 or 800 mg of it were me. To avoid diarrhea avoid citrate. Dr jay cohen in his book suggests taking it 4 hours apart from the cipro if you feel you must continue. I wouldn’t take it if it was the last antibiotic available

I apologize as I should not have stated any %. I read a study online and wrote down those percentages, but without having the direct quote from the study that was irresponsible to state anything. I am not trying to support taking of ciprofloxacin or other FQs. I think the very fact that there are so many reports of severe side effects alone indicates the percentage is not rare and I agree very very dangerous. Regarding the importance of magnesium, this site has been very helpful and clearing that up. And I didn’t share that all along I have been taking 600 mg of magnesium and 1000 mg of calcium divided into doses each day that come about 4 hours after the 2 Cipro doses. This has been my habit for these minerals for about 2 years due to some osteoarthritis, so I was determined to keep doing it on Cipro.

LJuly 17, 2017 at 5:57 pm

Glad to hear you have been taking the mag all along! And the book I referred to (the title says it all) is “How We Can Halt THe Cipro and Levaquin Catastrophe: The Worst Medication Disaster in US History.” And your instincts I think (re the probiotics and minerals prophylactically) may be quite accurate. This is what Dr Cohen suspects as well. He also added vitamin E—one of the few I never did take.

ShellsApril 29, 2018 at 5:58 pm

Russian Roulette. HOW and WHY would a known POISON only be poisonous to some and not others??!! I don’t even believe Fluoroquinolones are “antibiotics” AT ALL, that is part of the big picture, the complete Pharma LIE. POISON … is DEADLY.

LApril 29, 2018 at 6:17 pm

They are failed chemo drugs. And it is now thought that they would effect ANYONE given enough, and depending on their personal threshold. I had taken FLQs twice before with no apparent damage. But third time a bomb went off and changed life as I knew it.

The odds are higher than 1/1000 of a bad known reaction. The peer reviewed study on the odds says .14 to .40. That means the odds are 1/250 to 1/743. Dr. Cohen puts the odds at 1/5. If you read about gulf war syndrome it suggest the odds are 1/3. All lower than 1/1000.

By the way my sister is a RN and she said its impossible for me to think Cipro is causing my symptoms unless I was on it long term. I was on cipro for 7 days and experienced my first symptom on day 1. Medicine is blind.

I’m slowly increasing my mags and calicum. I take Mag l-threonate and Mag Malate. If I take too much, I get nauseous.

SaraNovember 28, 2017 at 11:42 pm

I forgot to add the d3 is added to the calcium I use. I’m hoping to be able to take the amounts Peggy stated she used as my body becomes more accustomed to higher amounts of mag and calcium. I do feel the supplements are helping as my symptoms are improving; though I do still experience bad days as others state.

I had four days of Cipro a week ago for a massive kidney infection. I accidentally took it with yogurt then the next day took magnesium and calcium. I hope that I accidentally helped avoid a worse flowing. I had headaches and they took me off it at day 4 and put me on amoxicillin. The headaches ceased immediately along with brain fog. However one week on I’m still on amoxicillin and my calves are tight and sore as if I’ve walked my usual 3 miles instead of being in bed for a week. I take magnesium for anxiety anyway so the only difference would be upping to a lunch dose. When did you start exercising again? Did you find the pain eased after two weeks off the meds? I’m scared and trying to maintain hope that I’m into temporarily in pain this week.

So sorry G. It’s a good thing you did take magnesium and yogurt while you were on this toxin. (Dr Jay Cohen, in his book “How We Can Halt the Cipro and Levquin Catastrophe: The Worst Medication Disaster in US History,” suggested that in spite of what the drug instructions say, that people SHOULD take mag, just four hours away. Better yet, don’t take any flqs.) I hope you are continuing on magnesium (I took 800 mg for the first year) and the yogurt, or actually a good multi-strained probiotic would be even better. As for if you will have long-lasting issues, no one can say for sure. We are all so different. I started side effects after only one pill, and though I only ended up taking 4 I had horrific, long lasting side effects…BUT I found out that I had taken both Cipro and Levaquin before, so I guess I had reached my “threshold.” I also was given it with prednisone, a steroid, which I think really fixed it for me. Again, we are ALL so different. I would take it slow and easy on the exercising, especially if you feel pain/popping/cracking in your joints or tendons.

You have changed my life by your post. I have been suffering with severe pain in my achiles tendon for 3 years with no relief. Walking was extremely painful and I have tried everything….so I thought. I followed your supplements with magnesium and after 4 days, I am pain free! I have searched for years and years for relief.

[…] toxicity and other chronic diseases. Many people suffering from fluoroquinolone toxicity are helped by supplementing magnesium (in various forms). Studies have indicated that the binding of quinolones to DNA is […]

Hello everyone, I wanna ask you something : What is the cause of the pain? I mean I had so much pain the first 2 months and later it passed. But my knee cartilage has damaged and made oedema because quinolone took all tissue fluid on my knees. now we started the PRP a kind of stem cell operation next week. Anyway, ıf anyone else will tell me the reason of pain, It will be great. Thank you!